BUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20011, 30 July 1928, Page 13

BUGBY FOOTBALL.

the senior championship. LEADING TEAMS STILL LEVEL. PRAWN GAME AT EDEN PARK. The prospect of another great game drew crowd of about 12.000 to Eden Park on Saturday to witness tlie final of tho Auckland Kugby Union's senior championship between Ponsonby and University. Spectators were, not disappointed. They saw what was unquestionably the finest game of the season snatched from ponsonby in tlie final stages, and made a draw, 14 ponds all. The two teams are still level at the head of the championship table, and a play-off will be necessary, unless they are to be bracketed us winners. In the other games at Eden Park, Training Collego secured a decisive victory over a weakened North Shore fide, while Grafton made a recovery in lhe second half to win against. College Riiles. City and Marist met in a very even game at the Show Grounds, the former team winning by a single point, while at Onehunga, Manukau soundly defeated Grammar Old Boys. Following are the results of the games:— University, 14: Ponsonby, 14. Manukau] 25; Grammar Old Boys, 8. City, 6; Marist,, 5. Grafton, 35; Collego Rifles, 6. Training College. 28; North Shore, 3. Tho following table shows the positions of the teams to date:— Points. Ch. Team. W. L. P. For. Asst. Pts. University . • s - - I' l ' ST 18 Ponsonby .. - s - - -"7 !'-?•! 18 City .. -.7 5 107 lit; 1-t Grafton . . • • •* 1 '~~ Manukau . . h !•>'- lit 13 Marist .- • ■ 1 J, '.2 St 11 Oram mar 0.8. . 5 (> 1 Ith 14ft 11 Training Coll. - - g jj V.i 9 College "Rifles ..2 S 2 70 151 fi North Shore . . 2 0 1 73 IGO 5 MARIST V. CITY. A minute from the opening of the game Marist had a kick at goal from n penalty but the ball fell short. City gained ground by a series of passing rushes, but was tillable to score City continued to dominate the game, the forwards dribbling well. Johnston made a nice run for Marist. beating six opponents, but he was brought down by the fullback. City then worked into r good position, and Crook took a pass near •he line and dived over to score tho first try of the game. An excellent kick from near ftie line hit the bar and bounced bark into the field City broke through and was stopped near the line, but almost immediately afterwards Hudson scored in . the corner. The kick failed. Soon after Peters rushed out from a forward melee and scored for Marist. He converted his try and Marist was only one point behind. Tho resumption of play saw a series of battles between the forwards fot possession. The City backs threw the ball about freely but {ailed to make ground. A long period of play in midfield followed, tho frame concluding with the scores:—- City, G; Marist, b. Mr. E. Pemberton was referee. GRAFTON V. COLLEGE RIFLES. College Rifles made the pace early in ♦he game against Grafton. The forwards were hammering on the Grafton line within a few minutes of the opening. A forcedown gave temporary relief to Grafton. Then Donald made a. strong run down the line and transferred to McGregor, who completed a spectacular movement by scoring. The kick was unsuccessful. took up the attack and for a time looked dangerous. Wilson relieved with a- fine kick, finding the touch-line at half-way. Kifles' back division swung into action shortly afterwnrd and Donald scored in a h.mdy position. Wilson's kick was slightly wide. Turpi engineered a fine rush for Grafton and, /rom a scrum on the Rifles' line. Finlnyson Tvent over tor an unconverted try. Grafton a™a\n took the initiative and F'inlayson battled through, transferring to Donaldson, who touched down Turei's kick was unsuccessful. Half-time sounded with the scores even, although College Rifles had bad the better of the game. However, in the second half, tho Grafton backs began to assert themselves. Turei lost a golden opportunity when he passed wildly with only the fullback to beat. He redeemed himself shortly afterward when be dashed acrosß. field and handed to Ruru, who scored an unconverted try at the corner. College Rifles pressed in the last ouarter, but they wero stayed off by the defence. Goddard failed to clear satisfactorily and Grafton dominated play in a handy position. From a penalty. Palmer kicked a good goal. He bad another opportunity shortly afterwards and again turnpd it, to account with a superb kick from near half-way. College Rifles rallied find Donald crossed the Grafton line but went over the dead-ball line. The game ended:—Grafton. 15: College Rifles, 6. Mr. J. Sweeney was referee. MANUKAU V. GRAMMAR OLD BOYS. The enterprising play of the Manukau backs was the deciding factor in the game acainsi Grammar Old Boys, and gave their fide, victory by 25 points to 8. Grammar whs the first to score, although Falwasser had teen dangerous on occasions. P. Skelton kicking a. penalty goal. Manukau retaliated in rhe second spoil. Rata kickintr a penalty goal. The Manukau backs were finding weaknesses in Grammar's defence, and a reat side-step by Falwasser terminated a passing movement with a try. Sturrney kicked a fine goal and half-time came with the score: Manukau, S: Grammar Old Boys, Ther« wore some spectacular incidents at the opening of tho second half, and after n hot Manukau offensive. Albon cross-kicked for Sturrney to follow no and score. Ho (converted hi 3 own try. The Grammar forwards attempted to retrieve matters, but """hen they had Manukau forced back cm its line, Falwasser broke through in a magnificent individual run, and scored between the posts. Sturrney converted, and shortly afterwards increased his Ride's lead with h goal from a. mark. The Grammar forwards again rushed play to Manukau s twentyfive, and there heeled to Weir, who dashed across. P. Skelton kicked a- fine goal. Although well ahead oin points Manukau was kept defending, but the issue was placed beyond doubt when, from a run by the Manukau backs, Dykos dropped a goal. The •final scores wero: Manukau, 25; Grammar Old Boys. S. Mr. J. Sheppard was referee. TRAINING COLLEGE V. NORTH SHORE. Even play marked the opening stages of the Training College and North Shore game. Training College obtained the_ advantage and North Shore had a. lively time defending. Strong running among the backs improved its position, and Training ' ollege was hemmed in its quarter. Quick work by Solomon saw him register the first try. Stokes converted with a good kick. Training College took up tho nHack, and ButW was successful with a penalty kick. The College V>acka were putting in good work, and it was l r >n£r before their efforts wero Tewarded. Mcßne and Droornfield, we I*6 prominent in a. dash upfipld. Slipping round a, srrum near the North Shore line. Mason scored an easy try. Butler's kick failinK. •Shortly afterwards. Lawn* and McTfne wore riff at. full ppeed down Mie line, Hie latter scoring near the corner. f l he kick was unsuccessful. It was North Shores turn next, and Webb scored an unconverted try well out. Wasiinp little time, the Training backs a train dominated play. Maeshort kicked amd Lawrio recovered, to pass to who scored under the posts. Butler hnd no difficultv in converting. Casualties in the Shore team saw Simpson replaced by Willis, while Fairway went off wHh a cut over the eye. Green taking his place. In tho second half North Shore was hard Put to keep Traininc College out. In the fiiinl stages Training College _ attacked stroDgly. J till scored on two occasions. Butler converting one of the tries. Morton •scored an unconverted try. and Butler kicked a. penalty goal close on_ tho call of time The game ended: Training College, 23: North Shore, R. -Mr. K. C. Streiton was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS, Following are tho results of games . ! n the low nt: grades:— ~ . Senior tirade B—'Tramways, 13, v. University B. S: Marathon. 34. v. Newton. 5. Second Grade.—City Council. <l7. v. Mantibu, 0, C'lty. 13, v. Collego Rifles, 11; Grafton, -27, v. Training College. 3. Third Gra'de Open.—Takapuna, 31, v. Technical Old Boys, 0; North Shore, 11, v. PenT o*e, 11; Kingsland, 19. v. Marathon, 3; University, 19. v. Manurewa, G. Third Intermediate Grade.—Newton, 11, Grafton. U: Ponsonby. G. v. Otahuhu, 5; Eden, 5. v Grammar. 3; Suburbs, 12, v. Collcse Hifles, 3. Fourth Grade.—Dilworth, 24, v. City, 8; F.llerslie, li, v. Grammar, 9; Marißfc. 19, v. Marathon. 5: Eden, 11. v. Parnell. 5: Pon•ouby. 6, v. Post and Telegraph, 0. Fifth Grade.—Marist. 11, v. Manukau, 8. . Sixth Grade.—Suburbs. 25, v. Marathon, V. Secondary Schools Games.—Senior grade: Stephen's, 16, v. Sacred Heart, 6. Third Brade; Grammar, 6, v. Tnkapuna. 3. Fourth Vide: Grammar. 20. v. Takapuna, 0.